Book Report

Praying God’s Word – by Beth Moore

Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds

This book is simply a must have for your daily prayer time. Beth Moore has provided us with a scripture-based book that specifically addresses the strongholds that prevent Christians from living a truly free and spirit- filled life.

Beth Moore is a well-known author of best-selling books and Bible studies. She is a meticulous researcher and prayer warrior with spiritual insights in scripture that can only be a true gift from God. She tells us that God has called her to teach and that her best teaching comes from lessons she has learned the hard way! She confesses to the reader that; “This book is a result of my unquenchable desire to share one of the most effective approaches to the liberated life in Christ that God has ever taught me: praying scripture to overcome strongholds.”

Praying God’s Word is a topical prayer guide that shows us how to put into practice II Corinthians 10:3-5. “tearing down strongholds by captivating our minds with the knowledge of God” How do we practise this? By using God’s word in prayer.

 This book isn’t a Bible study, a novel or a book of advice. It is a scripture-based devotional resource. The author incorporates scripture in prayer form. You can use it for a few minutes a day or for several hours. You can use it for intercessory prayer as well. Beth Moore has organised hundreds of scriptures into fourteen chapters that address some of the most powerful strongholds of our minds. After all, the battlefield is in our minds. God’s word teaches us that our only offensive weapon in warfare (Ephesians 6) is the sword of the Spirit… the Word of God. We need to allow scripture to take captive our minds so that we can pray in the spirit and defeat our strongholds.

 What is a stronghold? The author explains that,” it is anything that consumes so much of our emotional and mental energy that abundant life is strangled, our callings remain unfulfilled and our believing lives are virtually ineffective”. Are you holding on to past hurts? Do you need to pray for God’s help in overcoming pride, unbelief, insecurity, depression? Using scripture will plug you into His power to overcome these and so many more strongholds …… bitterness, anger, anxiety to add a few more.

What makes this book, Praying God’s Word, so inspiring to me is that Beth Moore talks us through the scripture in prayer form. She incorporates the scriptures into a form of prayer. I find this allows me to see a clearer picture, in plain language, of what God expects from me and wants to do for me. Yes, we can take the time and look up all the scriptures that pertain to our strongholds. Honestly, how often would we take the time, or have the time to do that? This book shows me quickly and specifically literally hundreds of scriptures that I can go to over and over again to pray for myself and others.

Taking our thoughts captive and presenting them to Christ using our Lord’s words in scripture is so empowering!

 Book Report by Ruth Rockliff

Editor's Note:  If you'd like to own a copy of this book, Ruth has several available.   

New Bible Study

On the eve of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the Bible Study group watched the movie "Luther" on Wednesday.  Fascinating insight into the character of Martin Luther and his time in history.  I particularly enjoyed Peter Ustinov as "Frederick the Wise,"

This coming week, we're beginning a new study by Jack Kuhatschek on the Letter of Paul to the Galatians.  Paul wrote the epistle to the church in Galatia because it was having troubles.  Questions of belief and practice plagued this early congregation.  As a consequence, Paul's letter gives one of the clearest statements of Christian faith found in the New Testament.  2100 years later, the words of the apostle resonate with the modern church as it struggles to remain true to its beliefs in a changing world.

The study guide includes 11 sessions, but don't worry if you can't make them all. There is no exam at the end of term. :-)
Time:  9:30 am on Wednesdays or 7:30 pm.
Place:  Ross Lounge, SPPC.
All welcome.  Bring your friends.

Remembrance Poppy

On Sunday we observed the Act of Remembrance during our worship service.  On Friday, across Canada and elsewhere in the world, nations will pay tribute to their soldiers, past and present, with parades, prayers and promises.  We do this in every community, large or small, because each has been touched by war, particularly The Great War of 1914 - 1918, and World War II, 1939 - 1945.  It was these two world-wide conflicts that reached into nearly every home and village of Canada.  Between the two conflicts, over 1.7 million Canadians served in the military, over 100,000 died, over 225,000 others were wounded.

 In the aftermath of such loss and sorrow, citizens felt a need to honour and remember their fallen, so they built memorials, some grand some simple, but all heartfelt.

There are more than 6200 war memorials across Canada.

     Sadly, Canada continues to lose lives to international conflict,  the Korean war, peacekeeping missions, the war in Afghanistan.  Despite the promise that The Great War was the "war to end all wars," and the oft repeated "lest we forget," the roll call of the dead and injured grows year after year.

  One of the most visible symbols of our common sorrow is the poppy, worn on the left lapel or over the heart, first adopted in 1921 when Anne Guerin, of France travelled to Britain and Canada to convince the Veterans Association (predecessor of the Canadian Legion) to designate the poppy as their symbol of remembrance. She was inspired in part by Canadian John McCrae's poem, "In Flanders Fields."

   Originally, the poppies were made by disabled veterans as a means to earn a small income for themselves and their families.  In 1996, the responsibility for manufacturing the poppies passed from Veterans Affairs Canada to the Royal Canadian Legion. Those donation boxes raise approximately $14 million per year. The money is used for programs and for financial assistance to veterans and their families. During the Legion’s annual poppy campaign, an estimated 18 million poppies are distributed in Canada and overseas.

  Traditionally the poppy is worn from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on November 11.  In 2000 a new tradition was born when crowds of people removed their poppies after Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa and placed them on the grave of the unknown soldier.  No organization ordered or requested or planned this deed.  It was a spontaneous outpouring of respect and grief from the people standing there that day.  Since then the tradition has spread to every memorial service in the country.

   The centre of the Lapel Poppy was originally black, reflecting the actual colours of the poppies in Flanders.  In 1980 the centre was changed to green to symbolize the fields of France, but in 2002 the centre was changed back to black.

   Because the lapel poppy has a tendency to fall off and become lost, many people like to secure it with a small Canadian flag pin. The Legion discourages this practice as they see the poppy as a sacred symbol of remembrance that should not be defaced in any way.  That said, they'd rather you wore a poppy with a pin in the centre than no poppy at all.  I've found this method of attaching the poppy, where I use the pin to catch the bottom edge of the petal, works well.

However you wear your poppy, wear it with respect and with gratitude.

Boo!

Once again the Parking Lot Club suffered a rain out on Thursday, so we were the indoor Parking Lot Club.  Some watched a movie in the lounge, some played with dolls in the quiet room and the rest turned the hall into a hockey rink.

The action was too fast for my camera but you get the idea.

Everyone enjoyed a spread of Hallowe'en themed snacks.

I loved this "healthy" skeleton.

Many thanks to Felicity and her helpers for putting on such a feast for us all. 

 The Parking Lot Club is a joyful couple of hours on Thursday evenings, 4:30pm - 6:00 pm. that is fun for those who play with a ball and stick and those who cheer them on.  Young or old, please come and enjoy.  You'll meet friendly faces, enthusiastic sportsmen, and a surprising array of goodies.

While you're enjoying your Hallowe'en ghosts and goodies, remember that you are really celebrating the e'en (evening) of All Saints Day.  The really big event is November 1 when the Church honours every saint, known and unknown.  In the New Testament, the word saint (meaning “holy person”) refers not just to people who are unusually virtuous, but to all members of the Christian community, present and past,  On All Saints Day we give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of the believers in this and every age, especially those of our own community who have died in the past year. We also pray that we may be counted among the company of the faithful.

Happy Hallowe'en and a Blessed All Saints Day to you all.

World Food Day

Last Sunday was World Food Day -- a day designated to raise public awareness about the global struggle against hunger and malnutrition and inspire solutions for lasting change.
Don't worry if you missed it.  You can make a contribution any day.
The Presbyterian Church, through our World Service and Development division works in partnership with organizations such as Canadian Foodgrains Bank, to end world hunger.  
Just a few facts:

• There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, but around 800 million people do not have enough to eat.
• Roughly 97 per cent of hungry people live in developing countries.
• Unfortunately, the people who are most food insecure are rural farmers -- at least 70% of small-holder farmers regularly go to bed hungry.
• hunger and malnutrition hit children hardest.  A lack of nutrient-rich food puts children at a higher risk for stunted growth and disease.

Canada used to claim the title "bread basket to the world." Today Canadian farmers are heavily involved in supporting Canadian Foodgrains, providing food, assistance, and knowledge to allow farmers in developing countries improve their own production.
To help, you can donate directly to Canadian Foodgrains Bank or donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development either through their website or in your weekly envelope.

If it seems this blog has been a lot about giving recently, it's because October is Mission Month at SPPC and because we are commanded by God to be generous. 



 Luke 3:11 – He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.(KJV)

Bible Study and New Elder

by Ruth Rockliff


I was so thankful to be able to attend the last two sessions of the Wednesday morning Bible study in the spring. Having just moved to the Island from Chilliwack I have been wondering how The Lord would be leading me to find Christian Fellowship and spiritual support. 

The Bible study was beyond my expectations!

 The topic "How We Got the Bible" could have been very dry indeed if it weren't for the passion and extensive knowledge ‎of Reverend Cunningham. I learned so much from his excellent and very inspiring presentation style. SPPC are truly blessed to have such an amazing teacher.

I also loved the discussion groups and the warm and welcoming reception I received. All in all I can't wait until September for the start of a new topic. 

                                                              **************

With that recommendation fresh in your mind, all are invited to come to the new Bible Study "How to Pray in Your Own Way," by Kathy Cawsey.  We're talking about personal prayer, not public prayer.  Don't be afraid you'll be asked to pray aloud in front of the class.  Instead, the course explores techniques to help individuals reach deeper into their own psyche and personality so that personal prayer is more meaningful.

And speaking of prayer, the entire congregation joined in thanksgiving and commitment on Thanksgiving Sunday as we ordained Joan Adamcsak as an elder.  She has accepted a role of great responsibility within the congregation and we offer her our thanks, our assistance and our prayers as she undertakes her ministry. 

 Lord, pour Thy Spirit from on high,
And Thine ordainèd servants bless;
Graces and gifts to each supply,
And clothe Thy priests with righteousness.

Wisdom, and zeal, and faith impart,
Firmness with meekness, from above,
To hear Thy people in their heart,
And love the souls whom Thou dost love.
                                    --James Montgomery

Let Us Give Thanks

At Thanksgiving, this blog usually features gratitude for the harvest of the garden, the field and the orchard.  This time, I want to celebrate a different harvest with a poem.

Let Us Give Thanks

Let us give thanks for a bounty of people:

For children who are our second
planting, and though they grow like weeds
and the wind too soon blows them away,
may they forgive us our cultivation and 
fondly remember where their roots are.

Let us give thanks,
For generous friends - heart-
and smiles as bright as their
blossoms;

For feisty friends as tart as apples;

For continuous friends, who, like scallions
and cucumbers, keep reminding us
that we've had them;

For crotchety friends, as sour as 
rhubarb and as indestructible;

For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as
eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn,
and others, as plain as potatoes and
just as good for you;

For funny friends, who are as silly 
as Brussels sprouts and as amusing
as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends,
as complex as cauliflowers and as intricate as onions;

For friends as unpretentious as cabbages,
as subtle as summer squash, as persistent'
as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless
as zucchini, and who, like parsnips, can be counted
on to see you through the winter;

For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the 
evening-time, and young friends coming
on as fast as radishes;

For loving friends, who wind around us
like tendrils and hold us, despite our
blights, wilts and witherings;

And, finally, for those friends now
gone, like gardens past that have been harvested,
and who fed us in their times that we
might have life thereafter;

for all these we give thanks.

                          -- Max Coots

Ed. Note:  Bible Study begins this Wed. Oct. 12, 2016

 The Parking Lot Club is every Thursday, rain or shine.  When it rains, we play hockey in the hall.